Fencing swords



J 1970 R. E. KUENSTLER, JR 3,515,562

FENCING, SWORDS Filed Jan. 4, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 3 I 9 2 I i 1, FIG. I.

' INVENTOR: FIG. 2. PM

June 23, 1 970 R. E. KUENSTLER, JR 3,515,652

FENCING.,SWORDS Filed Jan. 4, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 3 2 'IIIIIII(II/I{(IiCIf/(iII/IlllllhmlllllllII INVENTOR: PMS. Mm

United States Patent 3,516,662 FENCING SWORDS Robert E. Kuenstler, Jr., Rte. 3, Box 33-X, Marianna, Fla. 32446 Filed Jan. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 696,682 Int. Cl. A63b 69/02 US. Cl. 2731 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pair of toy fencing swords, each having an attached target to be worn by the person engaged in fencing with the attached sword; releasing means within each sword and connected target, whereby a thrust against the said target separates the blade from the attached sword. A second target provided on the handle of each sword, is identically responsive to a thrust against its surface, through the said common releasing means.

The present invention relates generally to a game or amusement apparatus and specifically to toy swords for employment by two juvenile persons in simulated fencing duels.

An object of the present invention is to provide an amusement apparatus which lends itself to competitive play by two juvenile persons simulating the use of swords as in a fencing duel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement apparatus which enables two or more juvenile persons to competitively test their abilities in the use of swords, both offensively and defensively, the apparatus employing means whereby one contestant is disarmed as a result of the thrust of his opponents sword against a target.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an amusement apparatus which is fool-proof in operation, one simple in structure, one economical to manufacture and assemble, and one which is highly effective in action.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention, in use by two persons and showing the method of play while employing the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the sword assembly, assembled ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the yoke-shaped lever, which is a part of the assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the heart-shaped remote target assembly to be worn by users of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 5, taken from the side.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the reference numeral 1 designates a detachable sword blade insertable into a hollow sword handle 2, against compression of an ejector spring 3. Ejection of blade 1 from handle 2 by spring 3 is prevented by the bolt 4 inserted into the notch 5 in blade 1 through the opening 6 in handle 2. Bolt 4 thus inserted into notch 5 is in the locked position. Bolt 4- is the end portion of a yoke-shaped lever 7, FIG. 3. A target 9 is the opposite end portion of lever 7, so that the three members, bolt 4, lever 7, and target 9, are combined into one rigid p CC unit attached to handle 2 by a pivot stud 25, FIG. 2, inserted through the bushing 8 and forming the fulcrum point of lever '7. The pivot stud 25 is a rigid protrusion from the surface of handle 2. Movement fore and aft of target 9, and the consequential rotation of lever 7 about stud 25, inserts and withdraws bolt 4 in and out of the locked position.

The function of the assembly thus far described is as follows: When blade 1 is locked in handle 2 by bolt 4 against compression of spring 3, aft movement of target 9, as from a thrust or blow from a sword, results in ejection of blade 1 from handle 2.

The action previously described can also be initiated by striking a remote target assembly 10, FIG. 5, which is fitted with a neck cord 20 and a chest strap 21 so as to be worn fixed to the chest of a person. Target assembly 10 consists of two heart-shaped plates 11 and 12., joined together by an offset hinge assembly 13, FIG. 6, and held in relative parallel position by a compressable coil spring assembly 14. A stud 15 is mounted rigid to plate 11. When plate 11 and 12 are in their normal relative parallel positions, the free end of stud 15 butts against the surface of plate 12, FIG. 6. Rotation of plate 11 about hinge 13 against compression of spring 14 separates stud 15 from plate 12. The weight 16 attaches to the target assembly 10 by the insertion of stud 15 through the arched opening 17 against plate 12. When weight 16 is thus attached to the target assembly 10, subsequent rotation of plate 11 about hinge 13, as from a thrust or blow from a sword striking plate 11 at a point above hinge 13, releases weight 16 for separation by gravity from the target assembly 10. The flexible cord 18, of such length as to remain slack under normal wielding action of the sword assembly, FIG. 1, connects weight 16 to lever 7, FIG. 2, at the aperture 22, being routed through the grommet 23 in plate 11, FIG. 5, and the tubular handguard 19, FIG. 4. Weight 16, thus falling from the target assembly 10, applies a pulling force to lever 7 through cord 18 which initiates the action originally described which ejects blade 1 from handle 2.

Use of the present invention is as follows: At least two persons, each wearing a target assembly 10 and carrying in hand an attached sword assembly 24 with blade locked in handle 2, attempt each to disarm the other by thrusting or striking their blades 1 against targets 9 and 10 worn and carried by such persons.

It will be seen therefore, that the apparatus of the present invention will afford amusement and interest to juvenile and other persons and will enable them to practice the sport of fencing and competitively display the dexterity of such persons.

What is claimed is:

1. Amusement apparatus comprising a sword having a blade and a handle, said handle having therein an ejector spring; means for holding said blade in said handle against the bias of said ejector spring; and a target remote from said sword having means for releasing said holding means whereby the impact of energy on said remote target will cause said blade to be ejected from said handle.

2. Amusement apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises a notch in said blade and a bolt, whereby removal of said bolt from said notch causes said blade to be ejected.

3. Amusement apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bolt is pivoted to said handle and comprises a further target portion.

4. Amusement apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said remote target comprises a pivoted pin having a weight suspended therefrom and said means for releasing said holding means comprises a string interconnecting said holding means and said weight whereby pivoting of said pin caused by energy impacted on said target causes said weight to drop thereby releasing said holding means.

References Cited 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,234,649 2/1966 Preble et a1. 3,417,469 12/1968 Cousins et a1.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1956 France. 1

OTHER REFERENCES Schenectady Union-Star, Saturday, Feb. 29, 1964, ar-

GOIlSiOI et ;3 i2 ticle. Object is to Make Opponent Go Squeak.

------------ 2 ANTON o. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner Stafford. P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner I 

